Looking for a healthy dinner that's quick, delicious, and feels restaurant-worthy? This Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Salmon with Asparagus is ready in under 20 minutes. Juicy salmon filets are coated in a garlicky parmesan crust, paired with tender-crisp asparagus, and cooked together in the air fryer for an easy one-basket meal.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy - Dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.
- One-Basket Meal - Salmon + veggie cook together in the air fryer.
- Healthy & Flavorful - Packed with protein, omega-3s, fiber, and plenty of garlicky goodness.
- Crowd Pleaser - Perfect for weeknight dinners or date night at home.
About the Ingredients
Salmon filets - I like using about 6-8 oz per serving. Fresh is best, but thawed frozen salmon works perfectly too. You can use skin-on or skinless depending on your preference.
Olive oil - Helps the seasonings stick and keeps the salmon moist while cooking. You could also use avocado oil or another neutral high-heat oil.
Garlic - Fresh minced garlic gives this dish its bold flavor. Garlic powder can be swapped in a pinch, but fresh will taste more aromatic.
Parmesan cheese - Shredded or grated parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps create a golden crust on the salmon.
Parsley - Fresh parsley adds color and a light, herbal note. Dried parsley works too, but use a little less since the flavor is more concentrated.
Onion powder - Adds a subtle savory layer to the seasoning blend without overpowering the garlic.
Salt & black pepper - The classics! Season to taste and don't skip - they bring out the best in the other flavors.
Asparagus - Tender-crisp asparagus cooks alongside the salmon, making this a one-basket meal. Trim the woody ends before cooking. If your spears are long, cut them in half so they fit neatly in the air fryer basket.
Cooking spray - A quick spritz prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier. I usually use avocado oil spray, but any neutral cooking spray works.
How to Air Fry Garlic Parmesan Salmon with Asparagus (Step by Step)
First gather your ingredients:
- 16 oz salmon fillets (I'm using 2 8-oz salmon fillets)
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1 tablespoon shredded parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 12 spears of asparagus
- Cooking spray
Rinse your salmon and pat dry with a paper towel.
In a small bowl, mix together the seasoning - salt, black pepper, parsley, parmesan, garlic and onion powder.
Coat salmon filets with olive oil, and then rub seasoning on salmon.
Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place salmon filets in to the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 400 for about 7 minutes.
During this time, you can cut your asparagus (optional) - If your asparagus is too long for your air fryer (like mine), then slice them in half. Add olive oil, and optionally season as you'd like (salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder is a good start).
Place asparagus in the air fryer, and air fry another 7 minutes.
Remove salmon and asparagus from air fryer and serve!
Storage & Reheating
If you have leftovers, you're in luck - this dish reheats beautifully!
- Fridge: Store salmon and asparagus in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Asparagus doesn't freeze as well (it gets mushy), so I recommend enjoying it fresh.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat is in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, which keeps the salmon juicy and the asparagus crisp. You can also reheat in a skillet on medium-low heat. I don't recommend the microwave unless you're in a rush - it tends to dry out the salmon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook this with frozen salmon?
Yes! Just add 3-4 minutes to the first cook time before adding the asparagus. BUT for best results, thaw salmon first so the garlic parmesan seasoning sticks better.
Can I swap the asparagus?
Definitely. Broccoli, green beans, or zucchini work great in the air fryer. Just adjust cooking times slightly (usually 6-8 minutes, depending on the veggie).
How do I know when salmon is done?
Salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
What can I serve this with?
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with fried rice, air fried potatoes, or a simple cucumber salad.
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Salmon with Asparagus Recipe
Juicy salmon filets coated in a garlicky parmesan crust, paired with tender-crisp asparagus, and cooked together in the air fryer for a healthy one-basket dinner. Quick, easy, and ready in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 16 oz salmon filets (about 2 filets, 8 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon parsley (fresh or dried)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt & ground black pepper, to taste
- 12 spears asparagus, trimmed
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Rinse salmon and pat dry with paper towels. Rub lightly with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, mix garlic, parmesan, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Spread seasoning evenly over salmon filets.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place salmon inside. Air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes.
- While salmon is cooking, prep asparagus. If spears are too long for your basket, cut them in half. Toss with a little olive oil and optional seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder).
- After 7 minutes, add asparagus to the air fryer with salmon. Cook everything together for another 7 minutes, until salmon flakes easily and asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Remove and serve immediately.
Notes
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 568Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 486mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 54g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
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If you like salmon, check out my other delicious salmon recipes!
Salmon With Green Onions, Garlic, Soy Sauce
Salmon Stir Fry with Vegetables
Donny says
Such a fast and easy way to use my air fryer. Definitely adding this to my weekly dinners.
Stacey says
Such a simple and tasty air fryer recipe. The salmon turned out perfect!
ChihYu says
Delicious, elegant and so easy to make! Restaurant quality meal at home!
Janessa says
Love this salmon- so much flavour and turns out perfectly in the air fryer!
nancy says
the garlic parm was really flavour. It was such a delicious meal i paired the salmon with a simple salad